Maple Syrup Printables

Worksheets for Learning About Maple Syrup Production

Maple syrup on pancakes — Michael Mller/EyeEm/Getty Images

By

Updated on January 22, 2018

In Little House in the Big Woods from the iconic Little House on the Prairie series, Laura Ingalls Wilder recounts the tale of going to her grandparents house for maple sugaring time. Pa explains how Grandpa would bore holes into the sugar map tree and insert a little wooden trough for draining the sap.

The process that is described in the book is not much different from the modern process of tapping maple trees on a small scale. Larger productions use suction pumps which are easier and more efficient.

It takes about 40 years for a sugar maple tree to be ready to be tapped. Once the tree is mature, it can continue to give sap for about 100 years. Although there are approximately 13-22 species of maple trees that produce sap, there are three primarily varieties. Sugar maple is the most popular. Black maple and red maple are also used.

It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup. Maple syrup is used on foods such as waffles pancakes, and French toast. It is also used as a sweetener for cakes, bread, and granola, or beverages such as tea and coffee.

Maple syrup can be heated and poured into snow for the delicious candy treat Laura and her family enjoyed. The temperature to which the sap is boiled determines the final product which includes syrup, sugar, and taffy.

Sugaring, when maple trees are tapped, usually occurs between February and early-April. The exact timing depends on the climate. Sap production require nighttime temperatures below freezing and daytime temperatures above freezing.

Canada is the world's largest producer of maple syrup. (Canada's flag features a large maple leaf.) The Canadian province of Quebec produced a record 152.2 million pounds of maple syrup in 2017! Vermont is the largest producer in the United States. Vermont's record was 1.9 million gallons in 2016.

Use the collection of free printables below to Introduce your students to the centuries-old process of making this tasty breakfast favorite.

01

of 08

Maple Syrup Vocabulary

Print the pdf: Maple Syrup Vocabulary Sheet

Start your study of maple syrup production with this vocabulary worksheet. Students can use a dictionary, the internet, or a book on the topic to define each term from the word bank. As each word is defined, students should write it on the blank line next to its definition.

02

of 08

Maple Syrup Wordsearch

Print the pdf: Maple Syrup Word Search

Students can continue to learn the meaning of each maple-syrup-related term by mentally reviewing the definitions as they complete this word search puzzle. Each term associated with maple syrup production can be found among the jumbled letters in the puzzle.

03

of 08

Maple Syrup Crossword Puzzle

Print the pdf: Maple Syrup Crossword Puzzle

Use this crossword as another fun review option. Each clue describes a term related to maple syrup. See if your students can correctly fill in the puzzle without referring to their completed vocabulary worksheet.

04

of 08

Maple Syrup Alphabet Activity

Print the pdf: Maple Syrup Alphabet Activity

Younger students can hone their alphabetizing skills while learning about the maple-syrup-making process. Students will write each of the terms from the word bank in correct alphabetical order on the blank lines provided.

05

of 08

Maple Syrup Challenge

Print the pdf: Maple Syrup Challenge

Use this challenge sheet as a simple quiz to see how much your students recall about the words related to maple syrup. Each description is followed by four multiple choice options.

06

of 08

Maple Syrup Draw and Write

Print the pdf: Maple Syrup Draw and Write Page

Students can practice their handwriting and composition skills while expressing their creativity. Let them use this draw and write page to draw a picture of something related to maple syrup. Then, they can use the blank lines to write about their drawing.

07

of 08

Maple Syrup Day Coloring Page

Print the pdf: Coloring Page

Let students color this page, featuring facts about when sugar maples are ready for tapping, as you read aloud about the process or enjoy Little House in the Big Woods.

08

of 08

Maple Syrup Coloring Page

Print the pdf: Coloring Page

This coloring page would make a great activity for students reading Little House in the Big Woods since the image depicts a very similar scene to that described in the book.

Updated by Kris Bales